Donny Hathaway would have been 65 years old on October 1, 2010. Tenor saxophonist Kirk Whalum‘s work has similarly crossed the boundaries between R&B, gospel and jazz with an emotional immediacy that is beyond compare. Kirk’s new release, Everything Is Everything: The Music of Donny Hathaway brilliantly exhibits 8-time Grammy nominee Kirk’s singular interpretive skills. Highlights include “You Had To Know,” featuring a heartfelt performance by Donny’s daughter, Lalah Hathaway, and Musiq Soulchild‘s retro take on “We’re Still Friends.”

RSVP on Facebook to stream his live performance from the Detroit International Jazz Festival this Labor Day weekend, on September 4 at 9 PM (EST).

“The Apartment” is not only the title track off Dynas‘ latest album, but it is also the foundation of the entire project on Badgramma/BBE Records. The late J Dilla applies his impassioned trademark production as Dynas expels the emotions one must face in order to repair an already broken relationship. If Dynas’ forthright lyrics weren’t enough, now Mupalia Pictures illustrates those canny mental images for this official music video. The Apartment LP is out in stores now, but expect more to come from Dynas as he collaborates on a group project, The Planet, with longtime friend DJ Klassik.

Paloma Faith is a pop soul UK singer/songwriter known for her wild live show and quirky fashion sense. You may have heard her on songs by Basement Jaxx or Josh Weller, and her solo debut is now available to the US, titled Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? (Thanks to Hard Candy for the download.)

We have an exclusive interview with Gregory Porter, whose album Water rose to the top of the Jazz charts rapidly after its release in May 2010. Check out what Gregory had to say about the new generation of jazz, his own path so far and his other hidden skills.

Your debut album Water has quickly risen to the Top Ten of the Jazz charts. Congrats! Were you expecting such a positive response to this album?

I was hoping for a positive response….I have an artistic impatience inside of me that wants to communicate with people..I want to talk about human emotions and joys and pains…I do it with live shows but it’s a beautiful thing to do it on a large scale with a recording. Its fun getting an email or Facebook message from someone in some far out place I’ve never been, telling me how they love my music.

Name a few of your all-time-favorite albums.

Kind of Blue: Miles DavisSwiss Movement: Les McCann
Anything from Leon ThomasLive… at the sands: Nat King ColeNow!: Bobby Hutcherson with Gene McDaniels

Read the rest of the interview and grab a download of “Pretty” after the jump.[Read more...]